Espino, Carson carry Clippers past Bats

Paolo Espino struck out nine over 6 2/3 innings and Matt Carson hit a grand slam to help the
Clippers top the Louisville Bats 7-3 tonight in Huntington Park.

Espino was called back from double-A Akron two days after Columbus returned to the Aeros to make
the start. He responded with one of his best outings of the season. He allowed an RBI double to
Jeff Fellhauer in the second inning and a single to Corky Miller in the fifth.

He left with two outs in the seventh with a 7-1 lead.

The Clippers scored all seven of their runs in the second inning off Louisville starter Daniel
Corcino (4-11).

Juan Diaz started the rally with a double and went to third on a Nate Spears bunt single.
Roberto Perez tied the game at 1-1 with a sacrifice fly. Tim Fedroff added a two-out, two run
single later in the inning. Chun-Hsiu Chen followed with a double and Corcino walked Jeremy Hermida
ahead of the Carson slam.

Corcino got Diaz to fly to center to end the inning and then retired the next 15 Clippers before
he walked Hermida to start the eighth inning.

The Bats scored two unearned runs off Preston Guilmet in the the eighth with the help of an
error by the first baseman Chen. Felix Perez had an RBI double and Mike Hessman a sac fly.

Bats centerfielder Billy Hamilton, who leads the International League with 49 stolen
bases, did not play because of a sore wrist. He is day to day.

Prior to the game, the Clippers released relief pitcher Chris Jakabauskas to make roster room
for Espino. Columbus pitcher Carlos Carrasco is in Cleveland. He will be activated to pitch for the
Indians against Detroit on Saturday.

The two teams play a doubleheader beginning at 5:35 p.m. Saturday. Danny Salazar is scheduled to
pitch Game 1 for the Clippers against Greg Reynolds. Bryan Price is the tentative starter for the
Clippers in Game 2. Pedro Villarreal is starting for the Bats.